Updated Aug. 25, 2021 after the State Fair of Texas sent a health and safety update.
When Big Tex bellows “howdy, folks!” at the State Fair of Texas this fall, his mouth will not be covered with a mask.
State Fair of Texas spokeswoman Karissa Condoianis says the tall, animatronic cowboy doesn’t need one this year: “He is fully vaccinated, stands outdoors all 24 days of the State Fair, and at 55-feet tall, will be socially distanced from other fairgoers and fellow Tex Team members,” she said.
In 2020, he wore a mask for the first time in State Fair history — a custom-made 84-inch by 45-inch piece of blue neoprene. It was slightly larger than a twin-sized blanket.
At the time, State Fair of Texas president Mitchell Glieber told us that Tex was wearing his mask “in solidarity with the community” — to show that the fair believed that masks helped keep people safe. The State Fair of Texas was canceled that year due to safety concerns, but Big Tex was still set up in Fair Park to help keep the spirit of the fair alive.
Big Tex’s mask drew criticism from some last year. Former state Rep. Matt Rinaldi, of Irving, said the fair was using a Texas icon to promote its “mask religion” agenda. Conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren called it a “face diaper.”
Condoianis says Big Tex’s position outdoors, away from other people, means he doesn’t have to wear a mask this year. That’s in line with CDC recommendations, that masks “may not be necessary” for those who are outside and either socially distanced from others or standing near members of their household.
[Update on Aug. 25, 2021: Everyone is asked to bring a mask, according to new safety standards released Aug. 25, 2021, and everyone is asked to wear it indoors. Masks are recommended outdoors, especially in crowded settings, for those unvaccinated.
Some concessionaires may ask customers to wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status.
“We are largely an outdoor event with plenty of eating and drinking,” says a statement. “Approximately 80% of the State Fair is held in outdoor settings. Mandating masks fairgrounds-wide would be extremely difficult for our organization to enforce, so we are urging you to pitch in and do your part by following the above guidelines.”]
The State Fair is publicly supporting COVID-19 vaccines, and a clinic will be set up in Fair Park for those who want a COVID-19 shot.
“It is not lost on us that without the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination efforts throughout North Texas and the Lone Star State, the State Fair would not be possible this year,” Condoianis said in a press release.
The State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 17, 2021.
Original story written Aug. 18, 2021.
